Elena Meets the Author

In this episode, Elena interviews author Alison Espach about her novel 'The Wedding People.' Alison talks about why she wrote the book, her own struggles with grief and how both in real life and fiction, humor can shift things, make the apocalyptic seem a little less, well, apocalyptic. The main character Phoebe is grappling with suicidal thoughts. She goes to a luxurious hotel by the ocean in Newport, Rhode Island. Phoebe has never seen the ocean. Phoebe hadn’t counted on there being a wedding at her perfect ending spot. And another fly in the ointment, the bride really doesn’t want Phoebe to ruin her wedding with some suicide. “It’s a really big week for me,” pleads the bride. “Same,” says Phoebe. It’s that kind of a book.. Not only is the book funny, so is its author. The book is tender and life-affirming with lots of big themes set in small revealing moments. The same could be said for Alison’s own life experiences which she discusses in this insightful episode. 00:00 Introduction and Book Recommendation00:35 Exploring the Novel's Themes and Characters01:08 The Birth of Phoebe's Character03:24 Writing Process and Inspirations06:09 Dialogue and Character Development14:23 The Stranger's Perspective17:57 Unexpected Connections and Conversations21:09 The Impact of Strangers21:25 Exploring Grief and Societal Pressure24:20 Writing as a Healing Process25:18 Character Development in Fiction31:47 Humor in Dark Moments34:35 Challenges in Writing39:06 Adapting the Book into a Film40:13 Upcoming Episode Preview This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

In this episode, Elena interviews writer Kate Feiffer about her latest novel, 'Morning Pages'. The conversation covers Kate's diverse career, her talented family background, and the central themes of her book, including its focus on a playwright dealing with writer's block, family responsibilities, and professional challenges. Kate explains the inspiration behind the novel, its narrative style using 'Morning Pages', and the real-life experiences that influenced the story. The discussion also delves into the writing process, the humor in the book, and the dynamics within writers' groups that helped shape Kate's work.00:00 Introduction to Kate Pfeiffer01:10 Discussing 'Morning Pages'02:44 The Concept of Morning Pages04:53 Inspiration Behind the Book09:28 Exploring Family Dynamics11:39 Reading from the Play15:28 Writer's Block and Writing Process21:38 Transition from Children's Books to Adult Novels23:33 The Role of Writers Groups27:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

In this episode of Elena Meets the Author, Elena interviews bestselling author Dawn Tripp about her historical fiction novel 'Jackie,' which offers a nuanced portrait of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Through insights from Dawn's extensive research and reflections, the discussion reveals Jackie's intellectual depth, passion for literature, and complex relationships, particularly with JFK. The episode dives into Jackie's profound resilience, highlighted by her ability to manage grief and maintain her public image following JFK's assassination. It also touches on her later years and significant relationships, including with Aristotle Onassis. Viewers will gain a deeper understanding of Jackie's multifaceted persona, her literary passions, and her influential role in history. The segment concludes with literary recommendations from Elena and teasers for future discussions. 00:00 Elena Meets Dawn 01:04 The Enigma of Jackie Kennedy 02:39 Discovering Jackie Through Poetry 06:59 The Love Story of Jackie and Jack 10:34 Researching the Real Jackie 14:24 Finding Jackie's Voice 20:07 Comparing Jackie and Georgia 22:33 Jackie's Strength and Legacy 27:53 Unseen Aspects of Jackie 30:25 Exploring Jackie's Multilingual Talents 32:06 The Pressures and Losses of the Kennedy Marriage 34:19 Jackie's Role in Preserving JFK's Legacy 37:42 Jackie's Intentional Style and Public Perception 41:49 The Complexities of Jackie's Marriages 46:07 Jackie's Life After Onassis 52:58 Upcoming Projects and Book Recommendations This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com

In this episode, Elena is joined by Jillian Lavender, co-founder of the London and New York Meditation Centers, to discuss her book 'Why Meditate? Because it works' and the enduring relevance of meditation. Jillian shares her journey into meditation and becoming a Vedic meditation teacher. She debunks common myths about meditation, emphasizing that it's not about stopping thoughts but embracing practices that offer numerous life benefits. Lavender explains the deep physiological and psychological effects of regular meditation, such as improved brain function, resilience, and emotional balance, and highlights meditation's potential role in health and creativity. The discussion touches on how meditation can positively impact fertility and challenges, with Lavender sharing personal anecdotes and extensive research backing. The conversation concludes with inspirations for the coming year and insights Lavender would give to her younger self.00:00 Introduction to Jillian Lavender and Her Book00:47 Jillian's Journey into Meditation05:22 Debunking Meditation Myths07:55 Positive Effects of Meditation14:53 Choosing the Right Meditation Technique18:30 Eliminating Stress Through Meditation23:12 Meditation and Health Benefits28:57 Meditation's Impact on Creativity35:19 Future Plans and Final Thoughts42:29 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit elenabowes.substack.com